Friday 17 December 2010
Thursday 9 December 2010
Demystifying Paganism (part 2)
Merrie Meet
Here is the 2nd part of the piece that I began yesterday on the subject of Demystifying Paganism taken from a sermon by the Rev.D.Edwards.
If you try to force someone into your beliefs or force them to accept what you are saying that IS persecution, it is a mental persecution, as much as slapping someone’s face is a physical persecution.
Most people who condemn Pagans do not realize just how much they actually have in common, how much common ground the two beliefs actually hold for example, every time Christians celebrate a Pagan holiday.
Christmas is celebrated on 25th December but this was not the birthday of the person Jesus. He was actually born in or around August / September time, nobody really knows the exact date but anyone who has actually studied the subject will know that he was not born in December.
So why celebrate in December? Well a Roman emperor declared that 25th December would be a celebration to help integrate the followers of Mithra into Christianity. Mithra was an ancient Pagan religion that preceded Christianity by some 600 years and 25th December was already a holiday that these people celebrated.
An interesting thought here is that Mithra was a Pagan deity whose birth day was 25th December, he also had 12 disciples, was born of a virgin, he was sacrificed to redeem mankind and before he died he had a last supper of bread and wine with his 12 disciples and at the end of his life he said that he would return again to redeem mankind.
So therefore, how can Christians pass judgment on Pagans saying that they worship the devil? Christians have more in common with Pagans than they could ever know.
Whenever they decorate a Christmas tree, whenever they sit their children on Santa’s knee, whenever they hunt for an Easter Egg or send a Valentine’s card they become practitioners of Paganism!
If they were confronted with this insight most Christians would reply that it is all in the meaning, that the meaning is what is important.
For example they may say that the star on the top of the Christmas tree represents the Star of Bethlehem.
However if this statement that it is all in the meaning is true and the Christians say that they are not worshiping the Devil then by what right can they tell Pagans that they are worshiping the Devil. This sort of comment is hypocrisy at its very best.
A Christian may also resort to discussions about rituals and spells that Pagans perform.
A ritual is nothing more than a performance of a visual prayer it gives the practitioner something to focus on, a focal point for the energy released in prayer.
A spell is simply another way to pray to the Divine as in Islam where they bow 7 times a day. It is also the same as burning incense in a church (another parallel here). There are the rituals of performing baptisms, christenings, communion or marriage – they are all strictly symbolic and mean NOTHING without intent.
Research has indicated that “Pagans” who do fit the stereotypical image of paganism tend to grow out of it by the time they reach puberty.
Paganism is a way of life more than it is a religion, it is possible to follow any number of religions and still be a Pagan. There are, in fact, Pagan Christians. They practice Paganism using Christian style names for their Deities. There is such a thing as Christian Wicca where God and Goddess terminology is replaced by Father, Holy Spirit and Son.
Pagans can be guilty of the same things as Christians, they will scream “persecution” but will ignore a Christian just because of religion.
If that is you then how are you any different from the others?
Pagans should become more responsible for creating awareness of their beliefs. They cannot expect people to understand if they are not told about it. This does not mean standing on soapboxes on street corners preaching Paganism to all and sundry but it does mean that if you wear a Pentacle, be proud. Do not hide it away under your shirt, blouse or jumper, people will often ask you what it means, and don’t be afraid to explain. Shed light and dispel darkness and myth.
The moral of this whole piece on demystifying Paganism (and Christianity) is to stop believing everything that you are shown on TV, in films, in the papers – take the time to investigate for yourself.
Learning will bring knowledge which will create understanding and once you understand something it will bring unity and peace
Blessed Be
Merlin
Here is the 2nd part of the piece that I began yesterday on the subject of Demystifying Paganism taken from a sermon by the Rev.D.Edwards.
If you try to force someone into your beliefs or force them to accept what you are saying that IS persecution, it is a mental persecution, as much as slapping someone’s face is a physical persecution.
Most people who condemn Pagans do not realize just how much they actually have in common, how much common ground the two beliefs actually hold for example, every time Christians celebrate a Pagan holiday.
Christmas is celebrated on 25th December but this was not the birthday of the person Jesus. He was actually born in or around August / September time, nobody really knows the exact date but anyone who has actually studied the subject will know that he was not born in December.
So why celebrate in December? Well a Roman emperor declared that 25th December would be a celebration to help integrate the followers of Mithra into Christianity. Mithra was an ancient Pagan religion that preceded Christianity by some 600 years and 25th December was already a holiday that these people celebrated.
An interesting thought here is that Mithra was a Pagan deity whose birth day was 25th December, he also had 12 disciples, was born of a virgin, he was sacrificed to redeem mankind and before he died he had a last supper of bread and wine with his 12 disciples and at the end of his life he said that he would return again to redeem mankind.
So therefore, how can Christians pass judgment on Pagans saying that they worship the devil? Christians have more in common with Pagans than they could ever know.
Whenever they decorate a Christmas tree, whenever they sit their children on Santa’s knee, whenever they hunt for an Easter Egg or send a Valentine’s card they become practitioners of Paganism!
If they were confronted with this insight most Christians would reply that it is all in the meaning, that the meaning is what is important.
For example they may say that the star on the top of the Christmas tree represents the Star of Bethlehem.
However if this statement that it is all in the meaning is true and the Christians say that they are not worshiping the Devil then by what right can they tell Pagans that they are worshiping the Devil. This sort of comment is hypocrisy at its very best.
A Christian may also resort to discussions about rituals and spells that Pagans perform.
A ritual is nothing more than a performance of a visual prayer it gives the practitioner something to focus on, a focal point for the energy released in prayer.
A spell is simply another way to pray to the Divine as in Islam where they bow 7 times a day. It is also the same as burning incense in a church (another parallel here). There are the rituals of performing baptisms, christenings, communion or marriage – they are all strictly symbolic and mean NOTHING without intent.
Research has indicated that “Pagans” who do fit the stereotypical image of paganism tend to grow out of it by the time they reach puberty.
Paganism is a way of life more than it is a religion, it is possible to follow any number of religions and still be a Pagan. There are, in fact, Pagan Christians. They practice Paganism using Christian style names for their Deities. There is such a thing as Christian Wicca where God and Goddess terminology is replaced by Father, Holy Spirit and Son.
Pagans can be guilty of the same things as Christians, they will scream “persecution” but will ignore a Christian just because of religion.
If that is you then how are you any different from the others?
Pagans should become more responsible for creating awareness of their beliefs. They cannot expect people to understand if they are not told about it. This does not mean standing on soapboxes on street corners preaching Paganism to all and sundry but it does mean that if you wear a Pentacle, be proud. Do not hide it away under your shirt, blouse or jumper, people will often ask you what it means, and don’t be afraid to explain. Shed light and dispel darkness and myth.
The moral of this whole piece on demystifying Paganism (and Christianity) is to stop believing everything that you are shown on TV, in films, in the papers – take the time to investigate for yourself.
Learning will bring knowledge which will create understanding and once you understand something it will bring unity and peace
Blessed Be
Merlin
Wednesday 8 December 2010
Tuesday 7 December 2010
Demystifying Paganism (Part 1)
Merrie Meet
This post is taken from a broadcast by Rev.D.Edwards and as soon as I saw it I knew that it was something that I wanted to share and so I have taken the time to do this Musing on the matter and will be broadcasting it very soon on
CauldronFM - where Magic, New Age and Pop Cultures connect.
There is a huge misconception lurking around regarding Paganism and this really needs to be addressed. Paganism is a controversial subject but it is normally only controversial to people who don't know much about it.
To begin with, Paganism is very much misunderstood and therefore it becomes controversial. There is a lot of mystery about it and I would like to take this time to go some way to removing that mystery.
So what is Paganism - is it devil worship? Is it people going around casting spells on their enemies? Is it people in black robes who harm animals and mutilate cattle?
If people believe any of that stuff then immediately 3 things become patently obvious
1 They have never made it their business to study Paganism
2 The don't know any Pagans personally
3 The watch far too much television
Here I am going to try and clear up any misconceptions that are commonly found outside of Paganism.
In order to explain what Paganism is, it is necessary to explain a few things that Paganism is not. Hopefully this will dispel the rumours that are currently in existence.
Firstly Paganism is not Devil worship, true Pagans will not believe in the devil nor that it exists. The Devil is a Judaeo / Christian concept and since Pagans do not accept the theology of the Judaeo / Christian beliefs they will not worship a Judaeo / Christian Devil. They simply do not accept the concept. In other words to worship something you do not believe in is totally pointless.
Secondly, Pagans do not make blood sacrifices, they do not harm animals. To harm an animal would be a huge betrayal of their belief, rather like a Christian burning a bible it just would not happen! It is probably that people who spread this misconception have forgotten that Jehovah required blood sacrifices.
Thirdly Pagans do not go out looking for people to harm or hurt. Most Pagans have the same rule as Christian people – treat others the way you would like to be treated. Most Pagans have the same creed – if it harms no-one do what you will. The wording may be different but the same concept is held by Pagan traditions. Most of the rumours about Pagans rely on these 3 misconceptions.
Paganism is an extremely broad term encompassing many different religions and spiritual traditions that actually outnumber every denomination in every mainstream religion globally.
When they hear the term Pagan a lot of people automatically think Wiccan. This is covered under the term Paganism however to say that Pagan means Wicca is like saying that Christianity means you are a Baptist, and that is an insult to each belief and is totally untrue.
Pagans are mainly polytheistic (although not all) – they believe in, or worship, more than one God or Goddess. However, this does not apply to all Pagans for there are those who only believe in and worship one God.
Mormonism could be considered to be a Pagan religion because it is a polytheistic religion, they believe in multiple deities but they only worship one God, and yet there are Mormons who bad mouth Pagans because they have not taken the time to make the comparison. If they did compare they would be surprised at just how much the two beliefs have in common. They are more like Pagans than any other denomination of Christianity.
A cautionary note here – Pagans might want to take note of this as well.
Generally the one-god Pagans believe that all the gods from every time, every religion and every culture are the same God or the same Goddess – a Universal Divine.
Some people consider that Pagans come from one type of background again this is totally untrue. Pagans come from everywhere, from every background imaginable, every financial class or educational level of society, they are everywhere you look. Most people never recognise Pagans because they are looking for a stereotype that they have been taught to believe by the movie and tv industries.
People have been taught to believe that Pagans wear all black clothing or hooded robes and go around chanting incantations – doesn’t this sound similar to a catholic priest or a Buddhist monk?
Some Pagans do wear all black but then so do a lot of other people, but most of the time people do not notice the Pagans around them because they are dressed like Policemen, Firemen, Soldiers, Doctors, Lawyers or Dentists. They cook our food, give us our medicines, dress our wounds, babysit our children, they protect while we are asleep.
Some people have known Pagans for years and yet never knew it.
Pagans do not force their beliefs on other people. One of the most basic traits of Paganism is that Pagans do not attempt to convert others to their belief system.
Amongst Pagans it is a generally held belief that every person’s path will come to them and that nobody has the right to tell someone who they are or what they should believe.
Pagans often practice what they don’t preach.
When asked a Pagan will be honest and usually thrilled that someone has asked about their beliefs because that question shows that the person asking has not been filled with the propaganda, stigma or stereotypes that they have been fed by almost every church.
When you say that you have had enough most Pagans will stop talking about their beliefs because they will respect your wishes.
Most Pagans carry out what was said about keeping one’s own counsel better than the Christians. If somebody does not want to hear they will walk away, they don’t force the issue. It is a fact that in the Bible it is said
“And whosoever should not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart out of that house or city shake the dust of your feet” (Matthew 10,14)
This concludes the first part of this 2 part post, I hope that you have found it interesting and that you will look forward to the next part where I will further develop the topic.
Love and Light to All
Blessed Be
Merlin
This post is taken from a broadcast by Rev.D.Edwards and as soon as I saw it I knew that it was something that I wanted to share and so I have taken the time to do this Musing on the matter and will be broadcasting it very soon on
CauldronFM - where Magic, New Age and Pop Cultures connect.
There is a huge misconception lurking around regarding Paganism and this really needs to be addressed. Paganism is a controversial subject but it is normally only controversial to people who don't know much about it.
To begin with, Paganism is very much misunderstood and therefore it becomes controversial. There is a lot of mystery about it and I would like to take this time to go some way to removing that mystery.
So what is Paganism - is it devil worship? Is it people going around casting spells on their enemies? Is it people in black robes who harm animals and mutilate cattle?
If people believe any of that stuff then immediately 3 things become patently obvious
1 They have never made it their business to study Paganism
2 The don't know any Pagans personally
3 The watch far too much television
Here I am going to try and clear up any misconceptions that are commonly found outside of Paganism.
In order to explain what Paganism is, it is necessary to explain a few things that Paganism is not. Hopefully this will dispel the rumours that are currently in existence.
Firstly Paganism is not Devil worship, true Pagans will not believe in the devil nor that it exists. The Devil is a Judaeo / Christian concept and since Pagans do not accept the theology of the Judaeo / Christian beliefs they will not worship a Judaeo / Christian Devil. They simply do not accept the concept. In other words to worship something you do not believe in is totally pointless.
Secondly, Pagans do not make blood sacrifices, they do not harm animals. To harm an animal would be a huge betrayal of their belief, rather like a Christian burning a bible it just would not happen! It is probably that people who spread this misconception have forgotten that Jehovah required blood sacrifices.
Thirdly Pagans do not go out looking for people to harm or hurt. Most Pagans have the same rule as Christian people – treat others the way you would like to be treated. Most Pagans have the same creed – if it harms no-one do what you will. The wording may be different but the same concept is held by Pagan traditions. Most of the rumours about Pagans rely on these 3 misconceptions.
Paganism is an extremely broad term encompassing many different religions and spiritual traditions that actually outnumber every denomination in every mainstream religion globally.
When they hear the term Pagan a lot of people automatically think Wiccan. This is covered under the term Paganism however to say that Pagan means Wicca is like saying that Christianity means you are a Baptist, and that is an insult to each belief and is totally untrue.
Pagans are mainly polytheistic (although not all) – they believe in, or worship, more than one God or Goddess. However, this does not apply to all Pagans for there are those who only believe in and worship one God.
Mormonism could be considered to be a Pagan religion because it is a polytheistic religion, they believe in multiple deities but they only worship one God, and yet there are Mormons who bad mouth Pagans because they have not taken the time to make the comparison. If they did compare they would be surprised at just how much the two beliefs have in common. They are more like Pagans than any other denomination of Christianity.
A cautionary note here – Pagans might want to take note of this as well.
Generally the one-god Pagans believe that all the gods from every time, every religion and every culture are the same God or the same Goddess – a Universal Divine.
Some people consider that Pagans come from one type of background again this is totally untrue. Pagans come from everywhere, from every background imaginable, every financial class or educational level of society, they are everywhere you look. Most people never recognise Pagans because they are looking for a stereotype that they have been taught to believe by the movie and tv industries.
People have been taught to believe that Pagans wear all black clothing or hooded robes and go around chanting incantations – doesn’t this sound similar to a catholic priest or a Buddhist monk?
Some Pagans do wear all black but then so do a lot of other people, but most of the time people do not notice the Pagans around them because they are dressed like Policemen, Firemen, Soldiers, Doctors, Lawyers or Dentists. They cook our food, give us our medicines, dress our wounds, babysit our children, they protect while we are asleep.
Some people have known Pagans for years and yet never knew it.
Pagans do not force their beliefs on other people. One of the most basic traits of Paganism is that Pagans do not attempt to convert others to their belief system.
Amongst Pagans it is a generally held belief that every person’s path will come to them and that nobody has the right to tell someone who they are or what they should believe.
Pagans often practice what they don’t preach.
When asked a Pagan will be honest and usually thrilled that someone has asked about their beliefs because that question shows that the person asking has not been filled with the propaganda, stigma or stereotypes that they have been fed by almost every church.
When you say that you have had enough most Pagans will stop talking about their beliefs because they will respect your wishes.
Most Pagans carry out what was said about keeping one’s own counsel better than the Christians. If somebody does not want to hear they will walk away, they don’t force the issue. It is a fact that in the Bible it is said
“And whosoever should not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart out of that house or city shake the dust of your feet” (Matthew 10,14)
This concludes the first part of this 2 part post, I hope that you have found it interesting and that you will look forward to the next part where I will further develop the topic.
Love and Light to All
Blessed Be
Merlin
Tuesday 30 November 2010
Monday 29 November 2010
Cauldron FM becomes a reality
Merrie Meet on this cool November morn.
I am aware that some of our friends are living in conditions that can simply be described as "arctic" and that snow is continually falling making leaving the house a trial in its own right.
Here on the atlantic coast of North Devon we are getting very cold temperatures and biting winds but seeing very little of the snow at the moment. However that said the freezing temperatures did prevent me from visiting Exeter at the weekend on the grounds of common sense.
So bringing the subject of the weather to a close it simply remains for me to say if you do have to go out make sure that you are prepared for possibilty of getting stuck, take warm clothing, boots, blankets etc. and if possible something to eat and drink (preferably warm - one of those little camping stoves can come in extremely useful)
Now to the main point - which is a point of information
Cauldron FM has now become a reality we began our podcast broadcasts last week with a couple of programmes, one a Musing by yours truly and the second a brief poem called I Am A Witch that some of you may have read in an earlier Musing.
To listen to Cauldron FM simply click here to go to the podcast site
Cauldron FM
We are starting this small but plan to build it into a full time internet radio station and it is not beyond the realms of possibility that before too much longer we could be seeing a dedicated Cauldron TV channel, although it is just an embryonic idea at present.
Back to the podcast service now - tonight I will be recording the new Musing programme on the subject of Yule, there will also be some new music taken from Andrew Prince's latest album "Band of Rain". Andrew (a schoolfriend of mine) and I lost contact since we left school but we regained that contact in recent weeks and it seems that we have followed very similar paths through life.
We are both musicians, Andrew played with Sham 69 for a time and I have worked with up and coming bands both as a member and as a session player. We are both friends with Visionary Artist Peter Pracownik although neither of us knew that the other was, and we are both therapist - Andrew a music therapist and myself a Personal Development consultant.
The new presenter Wayne is working furiously to prepare his new shows and the debut broadcast date will be announced as soon as I know it.
I am talking to Avalon Whisperer about joining our team on a regular basis and there are lots of other exciting things on the horizon.
However, we need more presenters (especially for the Children's show that I want to do) and advertisers - we can offer extremely good rates for small to medium sized businesses who take a regular advertising slot or who simply would like to sponsor a show with us.
Finally any dates for our "What's Going On" spot will be much appreciated
remember we are going out on the internet so location need not be seen as a barrier.
Until the next time
May the Goddess protect and keep you safe
Love and light to all and
Blessed Be
Merlin
I am aware that some of our friends are living in conditions that can simply be described as "arctic" and that snow is continually falling making leaving the house a trial in its own right.
Here on the atlantic coast of North Devon we are getting very cold temperatures and biting winds but seeing very little of the snow at the moment. However that said the freezing temperatures did prevent me from visiting Exeter at the weekend on the grounds of common sense.
So bringing the subject of the weather to a close it simply remains for me to say if you do have to go out make sure that you are prepared for possibilty of getting stuck, take warm clothing, boots, blankets etc. and if possible something to eat and drink (preferably warm - one of those little camping stoves can come in extremely useful)
Now to the main point - which is a point of information
Cauldron FM has now become a reality we began our podcast broadcasts last week with a couple of programmes, one a Musing by yours truly and the second a brief poem called I Am A Witch that some of you may have read in an earlier Musing.
To listen to Cauldron FM simply click here to go to the podcast site
Cauldron FM
We are starting this small but plan to build it into a full time internet radio station and it is not beyond the realms of possibility that before too much longer we could be seeing a dedicated Cauldron TV channel, although it is just an embryonic idea at present.
Back to the podcast service now - tonight I will be recording the new Musing programme on the subject of Yule, there will also be some new music taken from Andrew Prince's latest album "Band of Rain". Andrew (a schoolfriend of mine) and I lost contact since we left school but we regained that contact in recent weeks and it seems that we have followed very similar paths through life.
We are both musicians, Andrew played with Sham 69 for a time and I have worked with up and coming bands both as a member and as a session player. We are both friends with Visionary Artist Peter Pracownik although neither of us knew that the other was, and we are both therapist - Andrew a music therapist and myself a Personal Development consultant.
The new presenter Wayne is working furiously to prepare his new shows and the debut broadcast date will be announced as soon as I know it.
I am talking to Avalon Whisperer about joining our team on a regular basis and there are lots of other exciting things on the horizon.
However, we need more presenters (especially for the Children's show that I want to do) and advertisers - we can offer extremely good rates for small to medium sized businesses who take a regular advertising slot or who simply would like to sponsor a show with us.
Finally any dates for our "What's Going On" spot will be much appreciated
remember we are going out on the internet so location need not be seen as a barrier.
Until the next time
May the Goddess protect and keep you safe
Love and light to all and
Blessed Be
Merlin
Friday 19 November 2010
Monday 15 November 2010
Birth of a new radio station is imminent
Merrie Meet one and all
The purpose of this post is to announce the impending birth of
Cauldron FM - where Magic, New Age and Pop cultures connect.
We are currently looking for presenters, advertisers, roving reporters and will glady take input of news or events stories that will be of interest to our listeners.
The service will begin as a series of podcasts (short shows) to test the water and then on or about 7th March 2011 the internet radio station will go "live".
Hope you will enjoy the service and look forward to chatting to you soon.
Until them
Love and light and Blessed Be
Merlin
The purpose of this post is to announce the impending birth of
Cauldron FM - where Magic, New Age and Pop cultures connect.
We are currently looking for presenters, advertisers, roving reporters and will glady take input of news or events stories that will be of interest to our listeners.
The service will begin as a series of podcasts (short shows) to test the water and then on or about 7th March 2011 the internet radio station will go "live".
Hope you will enjoy the service and look forward to chatting to you soon.
Until them
Love and light and Blessed Be
Merlin
Thursday 11 November 2010
Wednesday 27 October 2010
The Troll Tear - a story for Samhain
Merrie Meet
First let me apologise regarding the lack of posts on this page but my work developing Coaching Radio has been a huge priority at present. Developing the business is of massive importance to me.
Anyway having now got that sorted the following item was found in response to a Samhain greeting I received yesterday from a very close and dear friend. I wanted to send her something special in return and found this item on iamawitch.com. I loved it so much that I posted it on Facebook and have now reproduced it here for all to see
The Troll-Tear
A Children's Story For Samhain
D. J. Conway
The night was very dark, with a Full Moon hanging in the cloud-filled sky above. The air was crisp with the feel of late Autumn and the doorway between the worlds was wide open. Carved pumpkins sat on the porches of the houses in the little town, and the laughter of children dressed in costumes could be heard from the streets.
It was a sad time for Beth as she climbed the hill behind her house. In her arms was her cat and friend Smoky, carefully wrapped in his favorite blanket. A little grave was already dug on the hill, waiting, for Smoky had died that day.
"Do you want me to go with you?" Beth's father had asked. "I dug his grave beside MacDougal's at the top of the hill." Beth clearly remembered when their dog MacDougal had died after being hit by a car.
"No, I want to go by myself," she answered.
Beth stopped at the top of the hill and knelt beside the little grave. She carefully laid Smoky's blanket-wrapped form in the earth and covered it with dirt, laying several large rocks on the top. Then she cried and cried.
"Oh, Smoky, I miss you so much?" Beth looked up at the Moon, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Why did you die?"
"It was his time to rejoin the Mother," said a deep, gentle voice in the darkness.
"Who said that?" Beth looked around but saw no one.
"Dying is part of the cycle of life, you know." One of the boulders on the hill stirred into life.
"Who are you?" The moonlight shone down on the little woman, and Beth could see she was not human.
"I'm a troll-wife," said the creature as she came to sit across from Beth. "This is a sad night for both of us, girl. I, too, came to this hill to bury a friend." The troll-wife wiped a crystal tear from her cheek. "The squirrel was very old. Still it makes me sad."
Beth stared at the troll-wife. The little woman was the color of rock in the moonlight, her hair like long strands of moss, her bright eyes like shining crystals. She wore a dress woven of oak leaves and tree bark.
"The squirrel and I lived together for a long time," the troll-wife said. "We often talked to your cat when he was hunting here on the hill. Smoky and I were friends. I shall miss him, too." The little woman patted Smoky's grave gently, "Sleep well, little friend. When you are rested, we shall talk together again."
"But he's dead," Beth said, her voice choked with tears.
"Child, this is Samhain. Don't you know the ancient secrets of this sacred time of year?" The troll-wife motioned for Beth to come and sit beside her. "It is true that our friends have gone into a world where we can no longer physically touch them, but the Mother has given us other ways of communicating with them. We can do this any time, but the time of Samhain is the easiest."
"I don't understand how this can be done," Beth said, "or why Samhain makes it easier."
"At this time of year," the troll-wife answered, "the walls between this world and the world of souls and spirits are very thin. If we are quiet and listen, we can hear our loved ones and they can hear us. We talk, not with spoken words, but with the heart and mind."
"Isn't that just imagination?" Beth looked down at Smoky's grave, tears once more coming into her eyes. "Like my thinking I can feel MacDougal get up on my bed at night like he used to?"
"Sometimes it is, but mostly it is not imagination, only our friends come to see us in their spirit bodies." The troll-wife reached up her hand and patted something Beth couldn't see on her shoulder, "Like my friend the raven. He is here now."
Beth looked hard and saw a thin form of hazy moonlight on the troll-wife's shoulder. "I've seen something like that at the foot of my bed where MacDougal used to sleep." She whispered. "I thought I was dreaming." She jumped as something nudged her arm. When she looked down, nothing was there.
The troll-wife smiled, "Close you eyes and think of MacDougal," she said "He has been waiting a long time for you to see him."
Beth closed her eyes and, at once, the form of her little dog came into her mind. His tail wagged with happiness. She felt a wave of love come from him, and she sent her love back. Then she felt the dog lie down against her leg.
"Can I do this with Smoky?" Beth asked.
"Not yet," the troll-wife answered. "He needs to sleep a while and rest. Then he will come to you. This gives Smoky time to adjust to his new world, and you time to grieve for him. It is not wrong to grieve, but we must not grieve forever."
"I never thought of it that way," Beth said. "It's kind of like they moved away, and we can only talk to them on the phone."
"It is this way with all creatures, not just animals." The troll-wife stood up and held out a hand to Beth. "Will you join me, human girl? Although I buried my friend squirrel this night, I still must dance and sing to all my friends and ancestors who have gone on their journey into the other world. For this is a time to honor the ancestors."
Beth joined the troll-wife in the ancient slow troll dances around the top of the little hill in the moonlight. She watched quietly while the troll-wife called out troll-words to the four directions, words Beth couldn't understand. Deep in her heart the girl felt the power of the strange words and knew they were given in honor and love by the little troll-wife.
When the troll-wife was finished with her ritual, she hugged Beth. "Go in peace, human child," she said, "and remember what I have told you about the ancient secret of Samhain."
"I will," Beth answered. "Will I ever see you again?"
"Whenever the Moon is Full, I will be here," the little troll-wife said. "And especially at Samhain."
"I wish I had something to give you." Beth hugged the little woman. "You have taught me so much." She felt the tears come to her eyes again.
"Let us exchange tears for our lost friends." The troll-wife reached up a rough finger and caught a tear as if fell from Beth's eye. The tear glistened on her finger. The troll-wife gently touched her finger to her cloak, and Beth's tear shone there like a diamond in the moonlight.
Beth reached up carefully and caught one of the troll-wife's tears as it slid down her rough cheek. It turned into a real crystal in her hand.
"Remember the secret of Samhain, and remember me," the troll-wife said softly as she disappeared into the darkness. Beth walked back down the hill, the crystal clutched in her hand. Her father was waiting for her on the porch.
"Are you all right?" her father asked as he gave Beth a hug.
"I will be," she answered. She opened her hand under the porch light and saw a perfect, tear-shaped crystal lying there.
"Did you find something?" her father asked.
"A troll-tear," Beth answered, and her father smiled. For he also knew the little troll-wife and the secret of Samhain.
And so dear friends that brings this post to an end but not before I wish you the best things that life can give.
Love and light to all and
Blessed Be
The Merlin
First let me apologise regarding the lack of posts on this page but my work developing Coaching Radio has been a huge priority at present. Developing the business is of massive importance to me.
Anyway having now got that sorted the following item was found in response to a Samhain greeting I received yesterday from a very close and dear friend. I wanted to send her something special in return and found this item on iamawitch.com. I loved it so much that I posted it on Facebook and have now reproduced it here for all to see
The Troll-Tear
A Children's Story For Samhain
D. J. Conway
The night was very dark, with a Full Moon hanging in the cloud-filled sky above. The air was crisp with the feel of late Autumn and the doorway between the worlds was wide open. Carved pumpkins sat on the porches of the houses in the little town, and the laughter of children dressed in costumes could be heard from the streets.
It was a sad time for Beth as she climbed the hill behind her house. In her arms was her cat and friend Smoky, carefully wrapped in his favorite blanket. A little grave was already dug on the hill, waiting, for Smoky had died that day.
"Do you want me to go with you?" Beth's father had asked. "I dug his grave beside MacDougal's at the top of the hill." Beth clearly remembered when their dog MacDougal had died after being hit by a car.
"No, I want to go by myself," she answered.
Beth stopped at the top of the hill and knelt beside the little grave. She carefully laid Smoky's blanket-wrapped form in the earth and covered it with dirt, laying several large rocks on the top. Then she cried and cried.
"Oh, Smoky, I miss you so much?" Beth looked up at the Moon, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Why did you die?"
"It was his time to rejoin the Mother," said a deep, gentle voice in the darkness.
"Who said that?" Beth looked around but saw no one.
"Dying is part of the cycle of life, you know." One of the boulders on the hill stirred into life.
"Who are you?" The moonlight shone down on the little woman, and Beth could see she was not human.
"I'm a troll-wife," said the creature as she came to sit across from Beth. "This is a sad night for both of us, girl. I, too, came to this hill to bury a friend." The troll-wife wiped a crystal tear from her cheek. "The squirrel was very old. Still it makes me sad."
Beth stared at the troll-wife. The little woman was the color of rock in the moonlight, her hair like long strands of moss, her bright eyes like shining crystals. She wore a dress woven of oak leaves and tree bark.
"The squirrel and I lived together for a long time," the troll-wife said. "We often talked to your cat when he was hunting here on the hill. Smoky and I were friends. I shall miss him, too." The little woman patted Smoky's grave gently, "Sleep well, little friend. When you are rested, we shall talk together again."
"But he's dead," Beth said, her voice choked with tears.
"Child, this is Samhain. Don't you know the ancient secrets of this sacred time of year?" The troll-wife motioned for Beth to come and sit beside her. "It is true that our friends have gone into a world where we can no longer physically touch them, but the Mother has given us other ways of communicating with them. We can do this any time, but the time of Samhain is the easiest."
"I don't understand how this can be done," Beth said, "or why Samhain makes it easier."
"At this time of year," the troll-wife answered, "the walls between this world and the world of souls and spirits are very thin. If we are quiet and listen, we can hear our loved ones and they can hear us. We talk, not with spoken words, but with the heart and mind."
"Isn't that just imagination?" Beth looked down at Smoky's grave, tears once more coming into her eyes. "Like my thinking I can feel MacDougal get up on my bed at night like he used to?"
"Sometimes it is, but mostly it is not imagination, only our friends come to see us in their spirit bodies." The troll-wife reached up her hand and patted something Beth couldn't see on her shoulder, "Like my friend the raven. He is here now."
Beth looked hard and saw a thin form of hazy moonlight on the troll-wife's shoulder. "I've seen something like that at the foot of my bed where MacDougal used to sleep." She whispered. "I thought I was dreaming." She jumped as something nudged her arm. When she looked down, nothing was there.
The troll-wife smiled, "Close you eyes and think of MacDougal," she said "He has been waiting a long time for you to see him."
Beth closed her eyes and, at once, the form of her little dog came into her mind. His tail wagged with happiness. She felt a wave of love come from him, and she sent her love back. Then she felt the dog lie down against her leg.
"Can I do this with Smoky?" Beth asked.
"Not yet," the troll-wife answered. "He needs to sleep a while and rest. Then he will come to you. This gives Smoky time to adjust to his new world, and you time to grieve for him. It is not wrong to grieve, but we must not grieve forever."
"I never thought of it that way," Beth said. "It's kind of like they moved away, and we can only talk to them on the phone."
"It is this way with all creatures, not just animals." The troll-wife stood up and held out a hand to Beth. "Will you join me, human girl? Although I buried my friend squirrel this night, I still must dance and sing to all my friends and ancestors who have gone on their journey into the other world. For this is a time to honor the ancestors."
Beth joined the troll-wife in the ancient slow troll dances around the top of the little hill in the moonlight. She watched quietly while the troll-wife called out troll-words to the four directions, words Beth couldn't understand. Deep in her heart the girl felt the power of the strange words and knew they were given in honor and love by the little troll-wife.
When the troll-wife was finished with her ritual, she hugged Beth. "Go in peace, human child," she said, "and remember what I have told you about the ancient secret of Samhain."
"I will," Beth answered. "Will I ever see you again?"
"Whenever the Moon is Full, I will be here," the little troll-wife said. "And especially at Samhain."
"I wish I had something to give you." Beth hugged the little woman. "You have taught me so much." She felt the tears come to her eyes again.
"Let us exchange tears for our lost friends." The troll-wife reached up a rough finger and caught a tear as if fell from Beth's eye. The tear glistened on her finger. The troll-wife gently touched her finger to her cloak, and Beth's tear shone there like a diamond in the moonlight.
Beth reached up carefully and caught one of the troll-wife's tears as it slid down her rough cheek. It turned into a real crystal in her hand.
"Remember the secret of Samhain, and remember me," the troll-wife said softly as she disappeared into the darkness. Beth walked back down the hill, the crystal clutched in her hand. Her father was waiting for her on the porch.
"Are you all right?" her father asked as he gave Beth a hug.
"I will be," she answered. She opened her hand under the porch light and saw a perfect, tear-shaped crystal lying there.
"Did you find something?" her father asked.
"A troll-tear," Beth answered, and her father smiled. For he also knew the little troll-wife and the secret of Samhain.
And so dear friends that brings this post to an end but not before I wish you the best things that life can give.
Love and light to all and
Blessed Be
The Merlin
Friday 1 October 2010
Coaching Radio is born
Hi everyone
Firstly let me apologise to you for the lengthy delay in creating a new entry to my blog pages.
This is not without good reason - I have been creating the Coaching Radio brand and have now launched the first 2 broadcasts.
These broadcasts can be found at
www.coachingradio.podbean.com
At the time of writing there are two fairly short shows but as we develop I have a couple of serious interviews planned before the end of October.
You can also subscribe to these shows by clicking the "subscribe via iTunes" button on the page or by going direct to iTunes and searching for "coachingradio"
While you are at it don't forget the books I have written "It's My Life" and "It's My Life 2" both available on Lulu.com
So for now I will say have a great day, live a life of passion and power and remember
Don't Predict The Future - CREATE IT!
Firstly let me apologise to you for the lengthy delay in creating a new entry to my blog pages.
This is not without good reason - I have been creating the Coaching Radio brand and have now launched the first 2 broadcasts.
These broadcasts can be found at
www.coachingradio.podbean.com
At the time of writing there are two fairly short shows but as we develop I have a couple of serious interviews planned before the end of October.
You can also subscribe to these shows by clicking the "subscribe via iTunes" button on the page or by going direct to iTunes and searching for "coachingradio"
While you are at it don't forget the books I have written "It's My Life" and "It's My Life 2" both available on Lulu.com
So for now I will say have a great day, live a life of passion and power and remember
Don't Predict The Future - CREATE IT!
Tuesday 22 June 2010
Great Big Apologies
Merrie Meet Dear Friends
Belated Solstice Blessings to you all.
I have to apologise for the lack of posts during the last few weeks but trips away and business at the office have made it extremely difficult to even keep up to date with day to day things let alone the important stuff like maintaining the blog.
Anyway, I will be writing a new detailed post very soon, so please bear with me for a week or so longer.
Have a fantastic day
Love and light to all and Blessed Be
Merlin
Belated Solstice Blessings to you all.
I have to apologise for the lack of posts during the last few weeks but trips away and business at the office have made it extremely difficult to even keep up to date with day to day things let alone the important stuff like maintaining the blog.
Anyway, I will be writing a new detailed post very soon, so please bear with me for a week or so longer.
Have a fantastic day
Love and light to all and Blessed Be
Merlin
Friday 30 April 2010
Beltane
Merrie Meet this Beltane eve.
Here is the final post of the week as promised - it is posted with all credits to the authors and the site owners at new-age.co.uk
Beltane / Beltaine
30th April / 1st May
The beginning of Summer - Summer is a comin in !
Beltane was an important festival in the Celtic calendar. The name originates from the Celtic god, Bel - the 'bright one', and the Gaelic word 'teine' meaning fire, giving the name 'bealttainn', meaning 'bright fire'.
This is the beginning of the 'lighted half' of the year when the Sun begins to set later in the evening and the hawthorn blossoms. To our ancestors Beltane was the coming of summer and fertility. Nature is in bloom and the earth is full of fecundity and life.
The Maiden
The Triple Goddess - worshipped by the Ancient Britons - at Beltane is now in her aspect of the Maiden : The May Queen, May Bride, Goddess of Spring, Flower Bride, Queen of the Fairies - a symbol of purity, growth and renewal.
The Crone turns to stone on Beltane Eve.
Hawthorn
May blossom symbolises female fertility, with its creamy/ white, fragrant flowers. Hawthorn blossom was worn during Beltane celebrations, especially by the May Queen. It is believed to be a potent magical plant and it is considered unlucky to bring the blossom inside the house, apart from on May eve.
Fire festivals
Samhain is one of the four Celtic fire festivals marking the quarter points in the year - feasts were held and bonfires were lit throughout the countryside. Fire was believed to have purifying qualities - it cleansed and rejuvenated both the land and the people.
The ritual welcoming of the sun and the lighting of the fires was also believed to ensure fertility of the land and the people.
Animals were transfered from winter pens to summer pastures, and were driven between the Beltane fires to cleanse them of evil spirits and to bring fertility and a good milk yield. The Celts leapt over Beltane fires - for fertility and purification.
Young men would circle the Beltaine fires holding Rowan branches to bring protection against evil - its bright berries suggested fire - malign powers were considered particularly active at the year's turning-point.
It was considered unlucky to allow anyone to take fire from one's house on May Eve or May Day, as they would gain power over the inhabitants.
May Day - Beltane Traditions
Beltane is a time of partnerships and fertility. New couples proclaim their love for each other on this day. It is also the perfect time to begin new projects.
The maypole - a phallic pole planted deep in the earth representing the potency and fecundity of the God, its unwinding ribbons symbolized the unwinding of the spiral of life and the union of male and female - the Goddess and God. It is usually topped by a ring of flowers to represent the fertile Goddess.
Paganhill, near Shroud has one of the tallest maypoles. The Puritans banned maypoles during the 17th Century. maypole ribbons
Birch trees It was a Celtic tradition to fell a birch tree on May day and to bring it into the community. Crosses of birch and rowan twigs were hung over doors on the May morning, and left until next May day.
Beltane cakes or bannocks - oatcakes coated with a baked on custard made of cream, eggs and butter - were cooked over open fires and anyone who chose a misshapen piece or a piece with a black spot was likely to suffer bad luck in the coming months. They were also offered to the spirits who protect the livestock, by facing the Beltane fire and casting them over their shoulders
Beltane Celebrations and Rituals
At Sheen do Boaldyne, in the Isle of Man, twigs of Rowan are hung above doorways as protection - the opening of Summer was regarded as a time when fairies and spirits were especially active, as at Samhain and the opening of Winter.
The 'Obby 'Oss, at Padstow, Cornwall - wearing of animal skins was believed to be a relic of a Pagan sacred marriage between earth and sky, and the dance enacts the fertility god sacrificed for the good of his people.
The May Queen - Maid Marion/the Maiden consorts with Robin/ the Green Man in Celtic celebrations of May day.
Going 'A-Maying' meant staying out all night to gather flowering hawthorn, watching the sunrise and making love in the woods
- a 'greenwood marriage'.
The dew on the May day morning is believed to have a magical potency - wash your face and body in it and remain fair all year, and guarantee your youth and beauty continues - men who wash their hands in it will be good at tying knots and nets - useful if you're a fisherman!
Handfasting
This ancient Pagan and Celtic ceremony marked the taking of a partner - this involves a commitment to perform an annual review of relationship. The couple's hands are ritually bound together to symbolize their union. Some people choose to use a ribbon that they have both signed. Between Beltane and the Summer Solstice is the most popular time for handfastings.
This brings to a close this few days of Beltane postings, I hope that you have found them interesting and informative.
Until we meet again then I bid you fare you well, love and light
and may the circle be unbroken.
Blessed Be
Merlin
Here is the final post of the week as promised - it is posted with all credits to the authors and the site owners at new-age.co.uk
Beltane / Beltaine
30th April / 1st May
The beginning of Summer - Summer is a comin in !
Beltane was an important festival in the Celtic calendar. The name originates from the Celtic god, Bel - the 'bright one', and the Gaelic word 'teine' meaning fire, giving the name 'bealttainn', meaning 'bright fire'.
This is the beginning of the 'lighted half' of the year when the Sun begins to set later in the evening and the hawthorn blossoms. To our ancestors Beltane was the coming of summer and fertility. Nature is in bloom and the earth is full of fecundity and life.
The Maiden
The Triple Goddess - worshipped by the Ancient Britons - at Beltane is now in her aspect of the Maiden : The May Queen, May Bride, Goddess of Spring, Flower Bride, Queen of the Fairies - a symbol of purity, growth and renewal.
The Crone turns to stone on Beltane Eve.
Hawthorn
May blossom symbolises female fertility, with its creamy/ white, fragrant flowers. Hawthorn blossom was worn during Beltane celebrations, especially by the May Queen. It is believed to be a potent magical plant and it is considered unlucky to bring the blossom inside the house, apart from on May eve.
Fire festivals
Samhain is one of the four Celtic fire festivals marking the quarter points in the year - feasts were held and bonfires were lit throughout the countryside. Fire was believed to have purifying qualities - it cleansed and rejuvenated both the land and the people.
The ritual welcoming of the sun and the lighting of the fires was also believed to ensure fertility of the land and the people.
Animals were transfered from winter pens to summer pastures, and were driven between the Beltane fires to cleanse them of evil spirits and to bring fertility and a good milk yield. The Celts leapt over Beltane fires - for fertility and purification.
Young men would circle the Beltaine fires holding Rowan branches to bring protection against evil - its bright berries suggested fire - malign powers were considered particularly active at the year's turning-point.
It was considered unlucky to allow anyone to take fire from one's house on May Eve or May Day, as they would gain power over the inhabitants.
May Day - Beltane Traditions
Beltane is a time of partnerships and fertility. New couples proclaim their love for each other on this day. It is also the perfect time to begin new projects.
The maypole - a phallic pole planted deep in the earth representing the potency and fecundity of the God, its unwinding ribbons symbolized the unwinding of the spiral of life and the union of male and female - the Goddess and God. It is usually topped by a ring of flowers to represent the fertile Goddess.
Paganhill, near Shroud has one of the tallest maypoles. The Puritans banned maypoles during the 17th Century. maypole ribbons
Birch trees It was a Celtic tradition to fell a birch tree on May day and to bring it into the community. Crosses of birch and rowan twigs were hung over doors on the May morning, and left until next May day.
Beltane cakes or bannocks - oatcakes coated with a baked on custard made of cream, eggs and butter - were cooked over open fires and anyone who chose a misshapen piece or a piece with a black spot was likely to suffer bad luck in the coming months. They were also offered to the spirits who protect the livestock, by facing the Beltane fire and casting them over their shoulders
Beltane Celebrations and Rituals
At Sheen do Boaldyne, in the Isle of Man, twigs of Rowan are hung above doorways as protection - the opening of Summer was regarded as a time when fairies and spirits were especially active, as at Samhain and the opening of Winter.
The 'Obby 'Oss, at Padstow, Cornwall - wearing of animal skins was believed to be a relic of a Pagan sacred marriage between earth and sky, and the dance enacts the fertility god sacrificed for the good of his people.
The May Queen - Maid Marion/the Maiden consorts with Robin/ the Green Man in Celtic celebrations of May day.
Going 'A-Maying' meant staying out all night to gather flowering hawthorn, watching the sunrise and making love in the woods
- a 'greenwood marriage'.
The dew on the May day morning is believed to have a magical potency - wash your face and body in it and remain fair all year, and guarantee your youth and beauty continues - men who wash their hands in it will be good at tying knots and nets - useful if you're a fisherman!
Handfasting
This ancient Pagan and Celtic ceremony marked the taking of a partner - this involves a commitment to perform an annual review of relationship. The couple's hands are ritually bound together to symbolize their union. Some people choose to use a ribbon that they have both signed. Between Beltane and the Summer Solstice is the most popular time for handfastings.
This brings to a close this few days of Beltane postings, I hope that you have found them interesting and informative.
Until we meet again then I bid you fare you well, love and light
and may the circle be unbroken.
Blessed Be
Merlin
Wednesday 28 April 2010
As we approach Beltane........
Merrie Meet
As we approach Beltane 2010 I have been looking at various postings concerning this important festival in our calendar. The one below was posted today on the I Am A Witch website. I hope you enjoy it and I acknowledge Summer Fey as the contributor.
Nine Beltane Woods
One of the best-known Celtic traditions for Beltane is the lighting of the Beltane fires. These huge fires were set to welcome back the sun for the light (summer) half of the year. All the hearth fires were extinguished on May Eve, and then they were relit the next day from the Beltane fires.
The fires were started with nine sacred woods, each with various magickal properties. People would gather and dance around the fires through the night, jumping over the flames to ensure a successful and prosperous summer.
Nine Beltane Woods
One of the best-known Celtic traditions for Beltane is the lighting of the Beltane fires. These huge fires were set to welcome back the sun for the light (summer) half of the year. All the hearth fires were extinguished on May Eve, and then they were relit the next day from the Beltane fires.
The fires were started with nine sacred woods, each with various magickal properties. People would gather and dance around the fires through the night, jumping over the flames to ensure a successful and prosperous summer.
* Birch - The Goddess, or female energy
* Oak - The God, or male energy
* Hazel - Knowledge and wisdom
* Rowan (Mountain Ash) - Life
* Hawthorne - Purity and fairy magick
* Willow - Death, sacred to Hecate
* Fir - Birth and rebirth
* Apple - Love and family
* Vine - Joy and happiness
These 9 woods are also mentioned in the Wiccan Rede:
"Nine woods in the cauldron go, burn them quick and burn them slow."
Some longer versions of the Rede include lines about all 9 woods:
"Nine woods in the Cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
Birch wood in the fire goes to represent what the Lady knows.
Oak in the forest, towers with might in the fire it brings the God's insight.
Rowan is a tree of power causing life and magick to flower.
Willows at the waterside stand ready to help us to the Summerland.
Hawthorn is burned to purify and to draw Faerie to your eye.
Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning- adds its strength to the bright fire burning.
White are the flowers of Apple tree that brings us fruits of fertility.
Grapes grow upon the vine giving us both joy and wine.
Fir does mark the evergreen to represent immortality seen.
But - Elder is the Lady's tree burn it not or cursed you'll be."
(pythorium)
I will look again for another relevant posting tomorrow.
Until then
Love and Light to all and Blessed be
Merlin
As we approach Beltane 2010 I have been looking at various postings concerning this important festival in our calendar. The one below was posted today on the I Am A Witch website. I hope you enjoy it and I acknowledge Summer Fey as the contributor.
Nine Beltane Woods
One of the best-known Celtic traditions for Beltane is the lighting of the Beltane fires. These huge fires were set to welcome back the sun for the light (summer) half of the year. All the hearth fires were extinguished on May Eve, and then they were relit the next day from the Beltane fires.
The fires were started with nine sacred woods, each with various magickal properties. People would gather and dance around the fires through the night, jumping over the flames to ensure a successful and prosperous summer.
Nine Beltane Woods
One of the best-known Celtic traditions for Beltane is the lighting of the Beltane fires. These huge fires were set to welcome back the sun for the light (summer) half of the year. All the hearth fires were extinguished on May Eve, and then they were relit the next day from the Beltane fires.
The fires were started with nine sacred woods, each with various magickal properties. People would gather and dance around the fires through the night, jumping over the flames to ensure a successful and prosperous summer.
* Birch - The Goddess, or female energy
* Oak - The God, or male energy
* Hazel - Knowledge and wisdom
* Rowan (Mountain Ash) - Life
* Hawthorne - Purity and fairy magick
* Willow - Death, sacred to Hecate
* Fir - Birth and rebirth
* Apple - Love and family
* Vine - Joy and happiness
These 9 woods are also mentioned in the Wiccan Rede:
"Nine woods in the cauldron go, burn them quick and burn them slow."
Some longer versions of the Rede include lines about all 9 woods:
"Nine woods in the Cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
Birch wood in the fire goes to represent what the Lady knows.
Oak in the forest, towers with might in the fire it brings the God's insight.
Rowan is a tree of power causing life and magick to flower.
Willows at the waterside stand ready to help us to the Summerland.
Hawthorn is burned to purify and to draw Faerie to your eye.
Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning- adds its strength to the bright fire burning.
White are the flowers of Apple tree that brings us fruits of fertility.
Grapes grow upon the vine giving us both joy and wine.
Fir does mark the evergreen to represent immortality seen.
But - Elder is the Lady's tree burn it not or cursed you'll be."
(pythorium)
I will look again for another relevant posting tomorrow.
Until then
Love and Light to all and Blessed be
Merlin
Tuesday 27 April 2010
Belated postings
Merrie Meet
Well we are almost at Beltane, how the year has flown past. I was shocked to see that my last post on here was back in February. Such a great deal has happened that I don't feel like I have had time to turn round so far this year.
I will be putting up a new Beltane post by the end of the week so this may contain some new ideas to go alongside your existing celebrations.
Until then I wish every one who reads this the best things that life can give
Love and Light to all
Blessed Be
Merlin
Well we are almost at Beltane, how the year has flown past. I was shocked to see that my last post on here was back in February. Such a great deal has happened that I don't feel like I have had time to turn round so far this year.
I will be putting up a new Beltane post by the end of the week so this may contain some new ideas to go alongside your existing celebrations.
Until then I wish every one who reads this the best things that life can give
Love and Light to all
Blessed Be
Merlin
Monday 1 February 2010
Casting A Circle - Musing 1st February 2010
Merrie Meet one and all,
Today is the eve of Imbolc and I decided that today I would like to write a post concerning the casting of a circle, and so with an acknowledgment to About.com here is a guide to the process.
In Wicca and Paganism, one of the facets common to nearly all traditions is the use of a circle as a sacred space. While other religions rely on the use of a building such as a church or temple to hold worship, Wiccans and Pagans can cast a circle pretty much any place they choose. This is particularly handy on those pleasant summer evenings when you decide to hold ritual out in the back yard under a tree instead of in your living room!
1.Start by determining how big your space needs to be. A ceremonial circle is a place in which positive energy and power are kept in, and negative energy kept out. The size of your circle will depend on how many people need to be inside it, and what the circle’s purpose is. If you’re hosting a small coven meeting for a few people, a nine-foot-diameter circle is sufficient. On the other hand, if it’s Beltane and you’ve got four dozen Pagans preparing to do a Spiral Dance, you’ll need a space significantly larger. A solitary practitioner can work easily in a three- to five-foot circle.
2.Figure out where your Circle should be cast. In some traditions, a Circle is physically marked on the ground, while in others it is merely visualized by each member of the group. If you have an indoor ritual space, you can mark the Circle on the carpet. Do whichever your tradition calls for. Once the Circle is designated, it is usually navigated by the High Priest or High Priestess, holding an athame, a candle, or a censer.
3.Which direction will your circle face? The circle is almost always oriented to the four cardinal points, with a candle or other marker placed at the north, east, south and west and the altar in the center with all the necessary tools for the ritual. Before entering the circle, participants are purified as well.
4.How do you actually cast the circle? Methods of casting the circle vary from one tradition to another. In some forms of Wicca, the God and Goddess are called upon to share the ritual. In others, the Hight Priest (HP) or High Priestess (HPs) will begin at the north and call upon the deities of the tradition from each direction. Usually this invocation includes a mention of the aspects associated with that direction – emotion, intellect, strength, etc. A sample ritual for casting a circle might take place like this:
5.Mark the circle upon the floor or the ground. Place a candle in each of the four quarters – green to the North to represent Earth, yellow in the East to represent Air, red or orange symbolizing Fire in the South, and blue to the West in association with Water. All necessary magical tools should already be in place upon the altar in the center. Let’s assume that the group, called Three Circles Coven, is led by a High Priestess.
6.The HPs enters the circle from the east and announces, “Let it be known that the circle is about to be cast. All who enter the Circle may do so in perfect love and perfect trust.” Other members of the group may wait outside the circle until the casting is complete. The HPs moves clockwise around the circle, carrying a lit candle (if it’s more practical, use a lighter instead). At each of the four cardinal points, she calls upon the Deities of her tradition (some may refer to these as Watchtowers, or Guardians).
7.As she lights the candle in the East from the one she carries, the HPs says:
"Guardians of the East, I call upon you to watch over the rites of Three Circles Coven. Powers of knowledge and wisdom, guided by Air, we ask that you keep watch over us tonight within this circle. Let all who enter the circle under your guidance
do so in perfect love and perfect trust".
8.The HPs moves to the South, and lights the red or orange candle, saying:
"Guardians of the South, I call upon you to watch over the rites of Three Circles Coven. Powers of energy and will, guided by Fire, we ask that you keep watch over us tonight within this circle. Let all who enter the circle under your guidance
do so in perfect love and perfect trust".
9.Next, she circles around to the West, where she lights the blue candle and says:
"Guardians of the West, I call upon you to watch over the rites of Three Circles Coven. Powers of passion and emotion, guided by Water, we ask that you keep watch over us tonight within this circle. Let all who enter the circle under your guidance do so in perfect love and perfect trust".
10.Finally, the HPs goes to the last candle in the North. When lighting it, she says:
"Guardians of the North, I call upon you to watch over the rites of Three Circles Coven. Powers of endurance and strength, guided by Earth, we ask that you keep watch over us tonight within this circle. Let all who enter the circle under your guidance do so in perfect love and perfect trust".
11.At this point, the HPs will announce that the circle is cast, and other members of the group can ritually enter the circle. Each person approaches the HPs, who will ask:
"How do you enter the circle?"
Each individual will respond:
"In perfect love and perfect trust" or "In the light and love of the Goddess" or whatever response is appropriate to your tradition.
12.Once all members are present within the circle, the circle is closed. At no time during ritual should anyone exit the circle without performing a ceremonial “cutting.” To do this, hold your athame in your hand and make a cutting motion across the line of the circle, first to your right and then to your left. You are essentially creating a “door” in the circle, which you may now walk through. When you return to the circle, enter it in the same place you exited, and “close” the doorway by reconnecting the line of the circle with the athame.
13.When the ceremony or rite has ended, the circle is usually cleared in the same manner in which it was cast, only in this case the HPs will dismiss the deities or Guardians and thank them for watching over the coven. In some traditions, the temple is cleared simply by having all members raise their athames in salute, thanking the God or Goddess, and kissing the blades of the athame.
14.If the above method of casting a circle seems boring or dull to you, that’s okay. It’s a basic framework for ritual, and you can make yours as elaborate as you like. If you’re a very poetic person who likes lots of ceremony, feel free to use creative license – call upon “the weavers of the wind, the breezes that blow from the East, blessing us with wisdom and knowledge, so mote it be,” etc, etc. If your tradition associates various deities with the directions, call upon those Gods or Goddesses in the ways that they expect you to do so.
15.Just make sure that you don’t spend so much time casting the Circle that you don’t have any time left for the rest of your ceremony!
I appreciate that this is only one way to cast a circle, and that with a little adaptation it can be made completely personal and fitting to your own needs.
I hope that you found it useful and wish you everything that you would wish yourself
May the Goddess Bless and Protect you and yours
Blessed Be
Merlin
Today is the eve of Imbolc and I decided that today I would like to write a post concerning the casting of a circle, and so with an acknowledgment to About.com here is a guide to the process.
In Wicca and Paganism, one of the facets common to nearly all traditions is the use of a circle as a sacred space. While other religions rely on the use of a building such as a church or temple to hold worship, Wiccans and Pagans can cast a circle pretty much any place they choose. This is particularly handy on those pleasant summer evenings when you decide to hold ritual out in the back yard under a tree instead of in your living room!
1.Start by determining how big your space needs to be. A ceremonial circle is a place in which positive energy and power are kept in, and negative energy kept out. The size of your circle will depend on how many people need to be inside it, and what the circle’s purpose is. If you’re hosting a small coven meeting for a few people, a nine-foot-diameter circle is sufficient. On the other hand, if it’s Beltane and you’ve got four dozen Pagans preparing to do a Spiral Dance, you’ll need a space significantly larger. A solitary practitioner can work easily in a three- to five-foot circle.
2.Figure out where your Circle should be cast. In some traditions, a Circle is physically marked on the ground, while in others it is merely visualized by each member of the group. If you have an indoor ritual space, you can mark the Circle on the carpet. Do whichever your tradition calls for. Once the Circle is designated, it is usually navigated by the High Priest or High Priestess, holding an athame, a candle, or a censer.
3.Which direction will your circle face? The circle is almost always oriented to the four cardinal points, with a candle or other marker placed at the north, east, south and west and the altar in the center with all the necessary tools for the ritual. Before entering the circle, participants are purified as well.
4.How do you actually cast the circle? Methods of casting the circle vary from one tradition to another. In some forms of Wicca, the God and Goddess are called upon to share the ritual. In others, the Hight Priest (HP) or High Priestess (HPs) will begin at the north and call upon the deities of the tradition from each direction. Usually this invocation includes a mention of the aspects associated with that direction – emotion, intellect, strength, etc. A sample ritual for casting a circle might take place like this:
5.Mark the circle upon the floor or the ground. Place a candle in each of the four quarters – green to the North to represent Earth, yellow in the East to represent Air, red or orange symbolizing Fire in the South, and blue to the West in association with Water. All necessary magical tools should already be in place upon the altar in the center. Let’s assume that the group, called Three Circles Coven, is led by a High Priestess.
6.The HPs enters the circle from the east and announces, “Let it be known that the circle is about to be cast. All who enter the Circle may do so in perfect love and perfect trust.” Other members of the group may wait outside the circle until the casting is complete. The HPs moves clockwise around the circle, carrying a lit candle (if it’s more practical, use a lighter instead). At each of the four cardinal points, she calls upon the Deities of her tradition (some may refer to these as Watchtowers, or Guardians).
7.As she lights the candle in the East from the one she carries, the HPs says:
"Guardians of the East, I call upon you to watch over the rites of Three Circles Coven. Powers of knowledge and wisdom, guided by Air, we ask that you keep watch over us tonight within this circle. Let all who enter the circle under your guidance
do so in perfect love and perfect trust".
8.The HPs moves to the South, and lights the red or orange candle, saying:
"Guardians of the South, I call upon you to watch over the rites of Three Circles Coven. Powers of energy and will, guided by Fire, we ask that you keep watch over us tonight within this circle. Let all who enter the circle under your guidance
do so in perfect love and perfect trust".
9.Next, she circles around to the West, where she lights the blue candle and says:
"Guardians of the West, I call upon you to watch over the rites of Three Circles Coven. Powers of passion and emotion, guided by Water, we ask that you keep watch over us tonight within this circle. Let all who enter the circle under your guidance do so in perfect love and perfect trust".
10.Finally, the HPs goes to the last candle in the North. When lighting it, she says:
"Guardians of the North, I call upon you to watch over the rites of Three Circles Coven. Powers of endurance and strength, guided by Earth, we ask that you keep watch over us tonight within this circle. Let all who enter the circle under your guidance do so in perfect love and perfect trust".
11.At this point, the HPs will announce that the circle is cast, and other members of the group can ritually enter the circle. Each person approaches the HPs, who will ask:
"How do you enter the circle?"
Each individual will respond:
"In perfect love and perfect trust" or "In the light and love of the Goddess" or whatever response is appropriate to your tradition.
12.Once all members are present within the circle, the circle is closed. At no time during ritual should anyone exit the circle without performing a ceremonial “cutting.” To do this, hold your athame in your hand and make a cutting motion across the line of the circle, first to your right and then to your left. You are essentially creating a “door” in the circle, which you may now walk through. When you return to the circle, enter it in the same place you exited, and “close” the doorway by reconnecting the line of the circle with the athame.
13.When the ceremony or rite has ended, the circle is usually cleared in the same manner in which it was cast, only in this case the HPs will dismiss the deities or Guardians and thank them for watching over the coven. In some traditions, the temple is cleared simply by having all members raise their athames in salute, thanking the God or Goddess, and kissing the blades of the athame.
14.If the above method of casting a circle seems boring or dull to you, that’s okay. It’s a basic framework for ritual, and you can make yours as elaborate as you like. If you’re a very poetic person who likes lots of ceremony, feel free to use creative license – call upon “the weavers of the wind, the breezes that blow from the East, blessing us with wisdom and knowledge, so mote it be,” etc, etc. If your tradition associates various deities with the directions, call upon those Gods or Goddesses in the ways that they expect you to do so.
15.Just make sure that you don’t spend so much time casting the Circle that you don’t have any time left for the rest of your ceremony!
I appreciate that this is only one way to cast a circle, and that with a little adaptation it can be made completely personal and fitting to your own needs.
I hope that you found it useful and wish you everything that you would wish yourself
May the Goddess Bless and Protect you and yours
Blessed Be
Merlin
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